The hot summer facilitates “explosion” of chronic inflammation of the teeth
Often in hot weather we experience toothache. Why so? Summer and especially its hottest period is the typical time when chronic inflammations are flaring and progressing rapidly. It might seem like an unpleasant coincidence – toothache right before going on vacation. However, there is a logical connection. This year, especially due to the hot weather, there is a significant increase in the number of people who turn to dentists with toothache and inflammation. How to avoid such unpleasant experience? Julija Katkevica, dentist and implantologist, shares her advice.
What to do?
All is based on the one truth that we all know, but, unfortunately, tend to forget – care of your teeth must be taken throughout the year and a visit to the dentist should not be postponed until toothache has already occurred. What to do? As J. Katkevica emphasises, one should start with a proper and regular care of teeth. A dental hygienist should be visited once every six months. In addition, one should have the health of his or her teeth checked by a dentist, not a dental hygienist, as is often mistakenly believed. If the dentist discovers caries, teeth must be treated immediately as cavities in the teeth are a favourable environment for microbial reproduction. These infection clusters in the mouth are a threat to healthy teeth. As the dentist highlights, patients usually do not complain about minor or moderate tooth decay. Often complaints arise only when the infection reaches the tooth nerve. Therefore, do not postpone tooth repair to the moment when the problem starts to interfere with everyday life – timely treatment of teeth is easier, faster and cheaper!
The most common mistakes of dental care
Many of us believe that they know enough about dental care. However, as observed by the dentist, there are still a lot of mistakes we make when it comes to daily care of our teeth. The most common of these is improper dental cleaning techniques, irregular cleaning of teeth and lack of dental floss. Patients skip teeth cleaning, for example, in the evenings and brush their teeth only in the morning, before going to work. Also, many people do not clean their teeth in the morning and especially after meals. The dentist points out that regular and proper cleaning of the teeth is the most important step in promoting oral health, which cannot be replaced by anything else. By taking care of your teeth on a daily basis and having regular preventive checks, you will save yourself unpleasant moments with neglected teeth problems.
The dentist’s Tips for proper care of teeth
There are several simple basic principles that will help you take care of your teeth more properly and efficiently, thus allowing for them to stay strong and healthy.
Teeth should be cleaned from the gums down with brushing movements, holding the toothbrush at an angle of 45° against the teeth. Biting surfaces must be cleaned with short movements back and forth. These movements should be repeated 10 times for each group of teeth.
It is also necessary to clean the tongue as it contains a lot of bacteria. The tongue may be cleaned with a toothbrush or a special tongue cleaner, with continuous movement from the root of the tongue toward the tip. After cleaning, the toothbrush should be rinsed thoroughly.
Keep in mind that a toothbrush cannot reach the gaps between teeth. As each tooth has 4 to 5 surfaces, around 45% of a tooth’s surface remain uncleaned. Therefore, after cleaning, teeth should be flossed. Larger gaps can be cleaned with superfloss or interdental toothbrushes. In hard-to-reach places small flat-brush toothbrushes can help maintain hygiene.
Remember – after flossing mouth should be rinsed with water or mouthwash intended for daily use.
Useful
It is recommended to choose a toothbrush with soft bristles, changing it every 3 months. The toothbrush should be kept in a cup with its bristles up.
When choosing a toothbrush, pay attention that the head of the toothbrush matches the size of your teeth in order to be able to perform a good cleaning of all surfaces.
Dental floss should be selected according to its size – corresponding to the width of teeth gaps, so that cleaning is effective.
Remember – toothpastes need to be changed! Each of them has its own good qualities that will promote your dental health.
Bleaching and whitening toothpastes should not be used for more than 2 weeks.
Teeth should not be cleaned immediately after use of acidic products. It is recommended to rinse your mouth with water and wait.
Sugar-free chewing gum can be used after eating for no more than 10 minutes, as chewing helps to develop gastric acid. They help to partially clean the oral cavity from food waste, promote salivation, and help restore pH in the oral cavity.
It would be useful for each of us to examine our daily routine and pay attention not only to our dental, but also eating and drinking habits as they have a significant impact on our dental health. There should be no more than 4-5 meals a day, and treats between meals only promote tooth decay.
It is advisable to clean your teeth after each meal, but if this is not possible, your teeth should be rinsed or you should at least drink some water. So keep in mind – drinking water is very important for dental health!
The Dental Office of Dr. Julija Katkevica has been operating since 2013 and provides acute dental care also at night and on holidays, dental surgery, including sophisticated wisdom tooth extraction surgeries, root resection, dental implantation surgeries, and standard dentistry (check-up, hygiene, bleaching, filling, endodontics, dental prosthetics).
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